About this role
Programme Officer
YIGA | West Nile
Apply by 5th October 2026 at 5:00 PM (E.A.T)
About Restless Development
We have worked in Uganda since 1997, guided by four goals shaped by young people: Voice and Democracy, Education and Livelihoods, Gender and Sexual Health, and Climate Justice. We support young people to influence decisions, access quality education and sustainable livelihood opportunities, advance sexual and reproductive health and rights, promote gender equality, and lead action towards a just and sustainable future. We currently work in 26 districts across Northern, North-Eastern, Central and Eastern Uganda, with offices in Kampala, Jinja, Moroto and West Nile.
Our approach to safeguarding
Restless Development considers the welfare and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults to be an organisational imperative with primacy over the success of programmes or strategic objectives. We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and we expect all of our staff, volunteers and partners to ensure we protect the communities in which we operate from harm and abide by our Safeguarding Policy.
About YIGA
Promoting Youth Inclusion in Governance and Decision-making in Uganda (YIGA) is supported by the Royal Danish Embassy under PACER and runs through December 2027. Restless Development leads the consortium with Media Challenge Initiative (MCI) and Karamoja Youth Effort to Save the Environment (KAYESE). Building on implementation in Karamoja, the project is expanding to Arua, Terego and Madi-Okollo in West Nile, alongside activities that bring regional youth priorities into national discussions.
YIGA addresses the information gaps, limited opportunities and institutional barriers that prevent young people from influencing decisions about their communities. It helps young people understand local government planning and budgeting, gather evidence on public services, and raise their priorities with elected representatives, officials and community leaders. At the same time, it helps these leaders involve young people in decisions and respond to their concerns through practical action plans and regular follow-up.
In West Nile, this includes training Youth Accountability Advocates and youth councillors, supporting community barazas and Youth Leader Connect meetings, and monitoring service delivery with local governments. MCI's Youth Information Hub+ combines a physical hub in Arua and Karamoja, mobile and digital engagement approaches and digital resources with civic films, radio, storytelling and media literacy activities. Evidence from both regions will inform the State of Youth Civil Society in Uganda report and National Youth Working Group discussions. Throughout, YIGA seeks to turn informed youth participation into decisions and services that better reflect young people's needs.
About the Role:
The Programme Officer will deliver YIGA activities with young people, community structures and local governments in Arua, Terego and Madi-Okollo. The role will help young people understand governance, planning and budgeting, gather evidence on public services, and engage officials and elected representatives about the issues affecting their lives.
Reporting to the Programme Coordinator, the Officer will work with the Assistant Programme Coordinator on day-to-day delivery and provide direct support and mentorship to Young Leaders. The role will organise youth training and dialogue, support government engagement and follow-up, maintain accurate activity records, and coordinate practical inputs with MEL, Finance and Logistics, MCI and communications colleagues. The Officer will focus on inclusive participation, timely implementation and making sure that youth concerns and agreed actions are documented and followed through.
Job title: Programme Officer
Location: Arua - West Nile, Uganda
Geographical coverage: Mainly West Nile: Arua, Terego and Madi-Okollo, with contributions to shared YIGA and national activities as required.
Salary: UGX 47,084,760 gross per annum
Preferred start date: As Soon As Possible
Duration: 1 year, renewable depending on funding and performance.
Reports to: Programme Coordinator
Direct reports: Young Leaders
Expected travel: Regular domestic travel, mainly within West Nile, with other programme travel as required.
Key responsibilities
Activity planning and field delivery
• Prepare practical activity plans, budgets and logistics requests for assigned West Nile activities. Agree schedules and responsibilities with the Programme Coordinator and coordinate day-to-day arrangements with the Assistant Programme Coordinator.
• Support district inception and community entry, explaining YIGA's purpose and planned activities to youth structures, local officials and community leaders. Maintain contact details and agreed arrangements for field engagement.
• Mobilise participants transparently with local youth structures and partners. Check that selection and timing allow young women, young people with disabilities and those with limited literacy to participate meaningfully.
• Deliver assigned activities against the approved workplan, record progress and raise delays or practical challenges promptly. Keep activity records complete and follow up actions agreed during supervision.
Youth civic learning and mentorship
• Organise and support training for Youth Accountability Advocates on local government planning, budgeting, public service monitoring, youth leadership and Meaningful Youth Engagement. Help participants practise using these skills in their communities.
• Support youth councillor training and work with young leaders to consult their peers, identify common concerns and prepare clear messages for local decision-making spaces.
• Mentor Young Leaders and Youth Accountability Advocates, help them plan community engagement, and organise quarterly reflection on their progress, challenges and support needs.
• Explain and distribute simplified civic information on planning, budgeting, rights and responsibilities. Use accessible methods and approved local-language support, and gather feedback on whether young people understand and use the materials.
Dialogue, service monitoring and accountability
• Ensure that youth priorities and perspectives are reflected in community dialogue and service delivery follow-up. Help young people gather clear evidence and prepare practical requests before meeting officials or representatives.
• Organise community barazas and Youth Leader Connect meetings with advocates, youth leaders and duty bearers. Record concerns, responses, commitments, responsible people and agreed dates for follow-up.
• Support biannual service delivery monitoring with Youth Accountability Advocates and district monitoring structures. Help gather observations and approved service or budget information for discussion during district reviews.
• Support fieldwork for the gender and youth inclusion assessment, Meaningful Youth Engagement training and district action plans. Arrange quarterly follow-up with advocates and relevant local government departments.
• Follow up agreed commitments and update young people on responses, progress and unresolved issues. Share evidence and barriers with the programme team so concerns can be taken to the appropriate district, regional or national forum.
Civic media and partner collaboration
• Work with MCI and communications colleagues to connect youth accountability activities with civic storytelling, local-language films, radio dialogue and media literacy. Support participant mobilisation, local contacts and appropriate consent.
• Support field arrangements for the Youth Information Hub+, community screenings, mobile engagements and the West Nile Annual Film Forum as assigned. Refer technical production and editorial work to the responsible media team.
• Identify community issues, youth experiences and verified changes that could inform civic content or learning materials. Help colleagues arrange interviews while protecting participants' privacy and avoiding unsupported claims.
• Maintain working relationships with local governments, youth groups and partner field staff. Share relevant community evidence for regional learning, the State of Youth Civil Society study and national advocacy through the programme team.
Monitoring, reporting and learning
• Use approved MEL tools to record participants, activities, feedback and follow-up. Submit complete records on time and work with MEL colleagues to correct gaps or inconsistencies without counting repeat attendance as new participants.
• Prepare clear activity reports describing what happened, who participated, issues raised, decisions taken, challenges and next steps. Retain supporting records in the agreed programme filing system.
• Use programme evidence and learning to improve field delivery. Raise practical recommendations with the Programme Coordinator, apply agreed changes and report whether they help address the problem.
• Support the West Nile rapid assessment, joint monitoring and end-of-project evaluation through participant mobilisation, field access and approved data collection tasks. Follow the guidance of the MEL team.
• Contribute to quarterly reviews and learning sessions with examples of progress, unresolved commitments and participant feedback. Document stories of change with consent and supporting evidence.
Logistics and financial accountability
• Prepare timely requests for transport, venues, materials and other activity needs, and work with Finance and Logistics to arrange procurement within approved procedures and budgets.
• Handle authorised activity funds and payments in line with organisational procedures. Keep accurate supporting records, submit accountabilities promptly and raise discrepancies or additional needs before committing expenditure.
• Support proper use, custody and tracking of programme equipment and materials. Report losses, damage or maintenance needs through the responsible staff.
• Plan field travel and event arrangements with attention to safety, accessibility and the welfare of Young Leaders and participants. Communicate schedule changes promptly to affected colleagues and partners.
Safeguarding, inclusion and responsible practice
• Explain safeguarding and feedback channels to Young Leaders and participants, and follow prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse requirements in every activity. Report concerns promptly to designated safeguarding staff.
• Create respectful, non-partisan spaces for dialogue, using accessible communication and locally appropriate facilitation. Raise barriers that prevent particular groups of young people from participating or being heard.
• Obtain appropriate consent for records, interviews, photographs and stories, and keep personal information secure. Share sensitive concerns only through the approved confidential channels.
• Monitor field risks, including travel, weather, civic sensitivities and participant welfare. Inform the Programme Coordinator and relevant focal staff of concerns and follow agreed safety and mitigation measures.
Other responsibilities (5%)
• Other duties as required, including occasional work on weekends for which Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) can be taken.
Skills and experience
Essential
• Graduate-level degree in a relevant field, such as Environment, Climate, Advocacy, Social Work, Social Sciences or Development Studies, or equivalent work experience.
• Experience in governance and accountability work, youth leadership and meaningful youth engagement is essential.
• Experience organising events and meetings, including logistical arrangements, asset management and procurement.
• Strong budget management and financial management skills, with excellent organisational skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including Excel and Word.
• Ability to solve problems and make sound operational decisions.
• A valid riding permit.
Desirable
• Effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, including fluency in written and spoken English.
• Experience in lobbying and advocacy, partnership management and working with a diverse range of partners.
• Experience working in a youthful, multicultural environment, including welfare provision.
• Ability to communicate in languages used in the project's West Nile communities.
To Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter that provides tangible examples of how your skills, knowledge and experience will support your ability to perform the key priorities outlined in the above job description (using no more than 750 words)
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